Top Words of Wisdom for Malverne, West Hempstead Graduates

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Winston Churchill and Dr. Seuss were among the famous people quoted by speakers at the commencement ceremonies recently held this past Friday and Sunday for the graduating seniors of Malverne and West Hempstead high Schools. 

But there's a good chance that you've probably heard these famous phrases a dozen times over, so instead, we've compiled the top words of wisdom shared during this year's graduations that came from the hearts and minds of the speakers themselves.

Who knows, perhaps someday future graduates will be quoting the Class of 2012's valedictorians, student presidents or one these local school leaders.

• "Never, never feel you can not make it, and not make it big in life. You are what you want to become." -Dr. James Hunderfund, Malverne Schools Superintendent
• "Remember to stop and smell the roses. Remember to love your family. Remember that no matter what you do, your profession or your job, is not who you are. Remember, no one every said upon their death bed, 'Gee,  I wish I had spent more time at the office.' Be the best you can be in whatever you choose, but most importantly, be a person of integrity and honor. Be true to yourself and the lessons you have learned and you will always succeed." -John Hogan, West Hempstead Schools Superintendent

• "I know that many of you won't remember the words I've said today in years to come. You probably don't even remember the words I said a few moments ago …  or even my name for that matter … But even if you forget all that, I hope you remember one thing, this one final wish I have for my best friends and the members of the graduating class of 2012:  Above success, achievement and love, I wish you all happiness. For without happiness none of the aspects of life serve a purpose." -Priscilla Varghese, Salutatorian of Malverne High School's Class of 2012
• "It is our time to move forward and achieve greatness. It's our time to beat the odds. It's our time to start our own path and pave the way for generations to come, to believe in the beauty of our dreams, and to follow our hearts." -Lisa Scott, Valedictorian of Malverne High School's Class of 2012

• "Hold on to that enthusiam and continue to challenge your boundaries … We are the ones who can change our futures. Do not be afraid to do it." -Melissa Waldvogel, Salutatorian of West Hempstead High School's Class of 2012 

• "As you move through this thing we call life, enjoy every moment and take nothing for granted ... Always take two steps forward and one step back. Sure, it will take you longer to get where you are headed but it will be worth every second." -Alex Sabella, Valedictorian of West Hempstead High School's Class of 2012 
• "You'll have to make tough choices. You'll have to weigh all the options. You'll have to look at the benefits and costs of one opportunity versus another, but the real secret in life is balance ... maintaining the balance of courage and confidence on one side, and retaining a sense of humbleness and modesty on the other ... The biggest killer of a good mind is to stick it in a fat head." - Dan Rehman, West Hempstead High School Principal
• "From this day forward, it's not about who we were in high school but instead, it is about reaching the potential of who we have the chance to become ... Never rest until your good is better and your better is the best." -Briahana Maugé and Nhychelle Lowe, West Hempstead H.S. Student Council Co-President
  

• "We've learned things that no textbook can teach us -- life, love, happiness, and to be yourself, because life is too short to be anyone else. Life has only one beginning and one end. The rest is blank. It is our time to fill it in and despite everyone telling us our lives begin today, it's not true. It's simply time for a new chapter, so learn from yesterday, live today and hope for tomorrow." - Maria Verderosa, West Hempstead High School Class of 2012 Historian

What advice do you have for the Class of 2012? Post it in the comments section below.

To view photos of the commencement ceremonies, click on the links below: